Outstanding Son of Jamaica: Former Mayor of Portmore, George Lee

Affectionately called ‘Mr. Portmore’, the late Mayor, Councillor George Lee, is described as a dedicated public servant, a strong innovative leader, and passionate about the work of the Portmore Municipal Council, and the vision for Portmore.

Mr. Lee passed away on Sunday, September 29 after a short illness.

Mr. Lee made history as the first elected Mayor of the 10 year-old Municipality of Portmore, a fitting accolade for a man who spent years fighting for the dormitory community to gain municipality status. He served two tenures as mayor, winning in 2003 and again in 2012. He also served as Councillor for the Greater Portmore North Division, in the St Catherine Parish Council, from 1998 to 2002.

Full Name: George Egbert Emanuel Lee

Born: June 2, 1939, Bourbon, Portland

Died: September 29, 2013

Parents: Egbert and Laleta Lee

Education:

• Bath Primary School
• Windsor High School
• Brooklyn College, New York
• New York University (Diploma)

Career:

• Reporter, Daily Gleaner, 1959 – 1963
• Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation, 1963 – 1965
• Hayden Stone, Wall Street, New York, 1967- 1969
• New York City Government, 1969- 1971
• Director, Agency for Public Information (now JIS), 1974 – 1980
• Press Secretary to former Prime Minister Michael Manley, 1976 – 1977
• Publications Manager, Jamaica Public Service Company, 1980 – 1983
• Merrill Lynch & Co., Wall Street, New York, 1984 – 1988
• New York City Government, 1988 – 1992
• Consultant, Ministry of National Security, 1994 – 1997
• St. Catherine Parish Council, 1998 – 2003
• Mayor of Portmore, 2003 – 2007 & April 2012 – September 2013

Engagements:

• Executive Member, Press Association of Jamaica, 1964 – 1968
• Founding Member, Public Relations Society of Jamaica, 1975 – 1980
• President, Jamaica Progressive League, New York, 1969 – 1972
• Founding Chairman, Jamaica National, New York, 1989 – 1992
• Director, National Association of Jamaica and Supportive Organisations (NAJASO)
• Chairman, Portmore Joint Citizens Association, 1993 – 1998
• During his tenure as Chairman, Mr. Lee led the struggle and negotiations for Portmore to gain Municipal Status and then become its first Mayor.

Honours & Awards:

• Governor General’s Award for St. Catherine, 1997
• Portmore Joint Citizens Associations, Portmore Award
• Public Relations Society of Jamaica, Founders Award

Publications:

• Publisher, Jamaica Mirror, New York
• Publisher, Portmore Echo Magazine, Jamaica

Denomination: Christian – Portmore United Church

Married: Aneita Chambers, June 1, 1996; two sons, one daughter

Hobbies/Interests: Swimming, Dominoes

Reference: The Jamaica Directory of Personalities 2007- 2008 (produced by The Gleaner Company, Ltd.)